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After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
How do I know if my deck is dry enough to stain?
To determine if pressure treated wood is dry enough to stain, try the “sprinkle” test. Sprinkle water on the wood: if the wood absorbs it within 10 minutes, plan to stain as soon as possible. If the water beads or pools on the wood surface, the wood needs more time to dry.
How long after cleaning deck Can you stain?
Prepping & Cleaning Deck Before Staining If power washing to remove old paint or stain, wait at least 24 hours after washing your deck to apply new stain to ensure that it is completely dry.
How long to let deck dry after Powerwashing before staining?
A basic rule of thumb for DIY deck builders, homeowners, and professional contractors is that roughly 48 hours is an adequate drying time for a newly washed deck.
Should you pressure wash a deck before staining?
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.
Can you pressure wash and stain a deck in the same day?
DPI Pressure Washing recommends you wait 72 hours following cleaning to stain your deck. Always inspect the wood before staining it. If you see moisture or some swellings still apparent in the fibers, wait another day or two. Remember that staining a wet deck will result in an uneven finish at best.
How many dry days do you need to stain a deck?
You will want to set aside a minimum of two days, including drying time. If your deck needs to be power washed, or if the boards on the deck need replacing, you may want to set aside another extra couple of days. Be sure to have all of your supplies ready well ahead of time.
How long should pressure treated wood dry before staining?
If you buy ordinary pressure-treated lumber from a home center, however, you’ll have to wait anywhere from two to three days for the wood to dry sufficiently before you can apply a water-based semitransparent protective stain.
How long does it take wood to dry after pressure washing?
The deck will need a minimum of 48 hours to dry after the cleaning. If it rains, wait two more days for the wood to dry. Avoid staining in high heat, high humidity and in direct sunlight.
What is the best time to stain a deck?
The best time to stain your deck is either the spring or the fall. If you stain your deck in the summer, make sure you do it out of the direct sunlight. Applying a deck stain in direct sun will cause the stain to dry to quickly and can result in premature stain failure.
What if it rains after I stain my deck?
If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off.
What happens if you stain a deck too soon?
Staining too soon can lead to the stain not being absorbed by the wood and result in a patchy and failed upgrade for your deck. Make sure the wood has dropped all of the excess moisture before trying to apply stain. Test to make sure that water is absorbed by the wood which ensures this drying process is done.
How long does it take deck correct to dry?
Allow to dry 4–6 hours before applying second coat. Requires a 2-coat application.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
DO sand your deck before sealing. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping.
Why you shouldn’t powerwash your deck?
Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. If there is any area on the deck where the wood is already beginning to split apart, power washing it will exacerbate the problem and cause the split area to expand.
How do I prepare my deck for staining?
How-To Prepare a Deck for Staining Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. Liberally apply cleaner using a roller or pump sprayer (wear protective equipment to avoid contact with skin and eyes). After 15 minutes, work the cleaner into the surface using a stiff synthetic-bristle brush.
How many coats of stain do you put on a deck?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.
